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Report: Kuroda to sign with Dodgers

Report: Kuroda to sign with Dodgers

LOS ANGELES -- Media reports from Japan indicate that free-agent pitcher Hiroki Kuroda will sign with the Dodgers, but general manager Ned Colletti said on Wednesday it's news to him.

"We expect to hear from the agent at some point in time," Colletti said. "We hear [Kuroda] is in Los Angeles, but that shouldn't be misinterpreted. His agent is out here."

Colletti said there was no meeting planned with Kuroda and no known timetable on his decision.

Reports out of Japan, however, say Kuroda informed his former manager with the Hiroshima Carp that he had decided to sign with the Dodgers. He gave three reasons: The Dodgers are playing their 50th year in L.A., Joe Torre is the manager and the Dodgers have a better chance of reaching the playoffs than the Mariners, who were his second choice.

The Mariners are believed to have offered a four-year, $40 million contract. Kansas City offered a contract of a reported four years and $44 million. The Diamondbacks upped their ante to three years and $30 million, comparable to the offer the Dodgers reportedly made.

Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.